Ginkgo Biloba for Brain Power, Focus and Energy

The effects of Ginkgo biloba for brain power and mental energy have been well-researched.

This supplement has been shown to improve cognitive function in both young and old people, supporting memory recall and thinking.

It is used to clear brain fog and as a study pill by students. It is also used to fight “senior moments” and boost mental clarity in the elderly.

Ginkgo is an herbal remedy that has been used for thousands of years as an energy tonic and a nootropic. Research shows that it can boost blood flow to the brain and stave off damage to nerves caused by oxidation. It has also been used to improve mood in children with ADHD.

Ginkgo biloba for brain health works by increasing the amount of oxygen carried by the blood and taken up by brain cells. This results in improved energy metabolism in neurons, and can enhance communication in the brain as well as reducing processing speed and reaction time.

Individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and age-related cognitive decline may benefit from taking this supplement. Ginkgo has also been observed to exhibit positive effects for vision, hearing issues, cardiovascular health, pain relief, and enhancing the mood.

Ginkgo extract also contains the terpenoids, bilobalide and ginkgolide A and B. These compounds exhibit vasodilatory effects, causing blood vessels in the brain to expand so they can carry more blood and oxygen.

Ginkgo also seems to increase the synthesis of Nitric Oxide, which is a natural compound that also promotes vasodilation. Poor circulation is linked to a number of brain disorders and can also result in low energy levels due to impaired metabolism.

Clinically, Ginkgo biloba for brain health has been used for the following neurological conditions:

Mild to moderate cerebrovascular insufficiency with symptoms of memory deficit

In several research studies, administering an oral Ginkgo biloba supplement resulted in improved memory formation and recall. Benefits have been reported in healthy adults that have not been diagnosed with neurodegenerative disease as well as in individuals with some form of cognitive dysfunction.

This effect may be more pronounced in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. In one study, administering 240 mg of a proprietary Ginkgo extract for 24 weeks resulted in improved cognition and memory compared to a placebo.

Other studies have found benefits for short-term memory, information recall, face recognition tests, memory formation, processing speed and general cognition. However, working memory and attention do not seem to be reliably improved with Ginkgo use.

Research also shows that using Ginkgo biloba for brain health may increase the rate of neuron growth and proliferation in the brain. In animal studies, the EGb 761 Ginkgo extract caused an increase in growth of neurons in the forebrain, hippocampus, and the nuclear accumbens.

This supplement also increased levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in one study involving schizophrenics diagnosed with tardive dyskinesia. These effects may mediate the neuroprotective benefits from long-term use of a Ginkgo biloba supplement.

Ginkgo biloba and Dopamine in the Brain

Ginkgo biloba also affects dopamine levels in the brain. Some evidence suggests that the flavonoids in Ginkgo may work as Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

This means that they inhibit the enzyme Monoamine Oxidase, which breaks down Dopamine once it has been released.

In animal studies, the EGb 761 Ginkgo biloba extract has been found to increase Dopamine levels in the pre-frontal cortex. This is the region of the brain that is involved in “higher order” cognitive behaviors including decision making, problem solving, planning, motivation, and inhibition control.

These behaviours are all described as “executive function”. It is this part of the brain that controls goal-oriented behavior and enables us to ignore distractions.

Low Dopamine levels can negatively impair executive function. In patients with ADHD, studies show that there is often less activity of Dopamine receptors in the pre-frontal cortex. When these receptors are stimulated, symptoms of ADHD (such as impulsivity and hyperactivity) are often reduced.

There is also a link between Dopamine and increased energy levels. When higher levels of Dopamine are present in the brain, feelings of mental drive, focus, and alertness are often the result. While Ginkgo has a relatively modest effect on Dopamine levels, this may explain the reduced fatigue and lethargy that some users report.

Additional Benefits of Ginkgo biloba

In addition to supporting memory and mental energy, Ginkgo may boost brainpower by enhancing mood, sleep quality, and preventing anxiety.

Research shows that this supplement can promote a feeling of calmness, reduce anxiousness and hyperactivity, and reduce feelings of depression, particularly in patients with dementia or cerebrovascular insufficiency.

Ginkgo has also been found to improve sleep quality by reducing the number of times users wake up in the night. Supporting healthy sleep patterns can have a positive impact on daytime energy levels as well as general health.

In conclusion, the effects of Ginkgo biloba for brain health appear to be both restorative and preventative. It can improve cognitive function and memory in the short-term, but may also promote brain plasticity and reduce markers of oxidative damage with long-term use.

Research studies on Ginkgo biloba have produced very promising results so far, however more research is still needed to fully understand all the effects Ginkgo can have in the body, and what its exact mechanisms of action are. At this time, the FDA has not approved Ginkgo biloba as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions. In the USA, Ginkgo biloba is available as a dietary supplement only.

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